Minister asks for more coordination to curb illegal overseas fishing

Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Public
Security To Lam on January 25 asked other ministries and administrations of
coastal localities to work with his ministry to stop fishermen violating
foreign seas.

He made the remark at a Hanoi teleconference among
the Ministry of Public Security, relevant agencies and the 28 coastal provinces
and centrally-run cities. The event focused on ensuring security and safety for
local residents and sea-based economic activities.

Lam said it is necessary to promote sectors,
authorities and forces’ awareness of favourable conditions as well as
challenges, especially hostile forces’ sabotage and crimes, and the importance
of ensuring security and safety for coastal communities and sea-based economic
activities.

He also urged relevant parties to coordinate better
to combat drug crime and human trafficking, smuggling and trade fraud through
sea routes. They need to protect fishermen detained overseas while helping
locals respond to natural disasters. The relevant sides should also work
together to monitor foreign investment in sea and island areas, particularly
those of defence and security importance.

Ensuring security and safety for coastal
communities and sea-based economic activities is critical to turning Vietnam
into a country enriched by seas and firmly protecting national sovereignty in
seas and islands, the official added.

At the meeting, participants attributed
encouraging outcomes in the work to the Party and State’s leadership, close
coordination among relevant ministries, sectors and coastal localities and citizen’s
support.

Authorised forces have a thorough grasp of the
situation and have given timely advice to the Party and State about solutions
to protect marine sovereignty, helping minimise the negative impacts of complex
developments in the East Sea on domestic security.

Local administrations have effectively carried
out development plans associated with ensuring defence and security. They have
also enhanced defence and security capacity and solved many incidents relating
to coastal security and order, officials said.-VNA